The Bravest

No matter how big of a cynic you may be, you can’t tell me you don’t feel something when you see a firefighter in his dress uniform. The emotional pull brought on by how shiny his shoes are, how deep the creases in his pants reach, how straight his medals lay pinned to his breast. There are so many accessories, but they all have a place and a purpose. Except, what does that rubber band around his wrist signify? And upon closer inspection, there’s a scuff on the heel of his right foot. And where is he going at midday on an uptown train? I try to read his face, but I can’t tell if his tight-lipped, penetrative stare, slightly downturned eyebrows are a look of anger or just part of the uniform.